Get Well Gabby Foundation brings cheer, 5K to Sussex County
Gabby Vogel had a giving spirit.
Before the 5-year-old passed away after a battle with brain cancer, her parents took her to a toy store. They told her she could pick out whatever she'd like.
After walking through the aisles, a doll caught her eye. That's what she chose.
Her parents were confused. It was a doll she already owned.
She wanted to give it to a friend. She wasn't looking to get something for herself, said her mother, Carolynn.
Her parents have spent the years after her death continuing her legacy of thinking of others.
The Get Well Gabby Foundation was formed in 2012, with idea of helping children with cancer and their families.
That includes in coastal Delaware, where the Vogel family moved from Pennsylvania in November 2011, shortly after Gabby's death.
They wanted to return the favor after their own community helped them while Gabby was sick.
"We just want to be the organization you can call for help," said Vogel, who is the president and co-founder of the foundation.
Milestones from the foundation include the pledging of $125,000 over five years to support research and to comfort children at A.I. DuPont Children's Hospital. Nearly $100,000 has been given so far.
Locally, the foundation partnered with Relyance Skim Camp to create a fundraiser at the Delaware beaches this year that raised $3,900. It also helped send a Georgetown boy battling leukemia and his family to the World Cup in 2014.
The foundation, along with Races 2 Run, is set to host the second annual Gabby Gobble 5K in Lewes on Thanksgiving Day. If last year's numbers are any indicator, nearly 600 runners will participate and raise close to $10,000. Many raced in Thanksgiving spirit, dressed in holiday-themed garb.
"It was such a turnout for the first year," Vogel said. "I never expected 600 people."
This year, 330 are already pre-registered, as of press time. Vogel hopes this year's participation will top last year's.
Awards will go to top fundraiser, largest team, best dressed team, top male and female runners and top male and female masters. Medals will be given to the top three male and female finishers in 10-year age categories, from 9 and under to 70 and over.
Money raised from the race will help fund a software initiative to bring electronic pediatric oncology records to hospitals nationwide.
After the run, the foundation plans to help three to four families through the holiday season. Money raised from the 5K will also help in those efforts, Vogel said.
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IF YOU GO
Second Annual Thanksgiving Day Gabby Gobble 5K
When: 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 26
Where: Irish Eyes, 213 Anglers Road, Lewes
Cost: $25 until noon Monday, Nov. 23; $30 on race day
Web: GetWellGabby.org
Web: http://Getwellgabby.kintera.org/GabbyGobble5K2015